New Zealand's low-cost pasture-based dairying system provides economic returns which must be supported in the long term. The ViaLactia forage programme recognises that New Zealand dairying is based on excellent stock and management, which ViaLactia wants to improve still further.

Dairy cows will be more like racing cars or race horses, and high performance requires the best fuel or feed. Without improved forages our dairy industry will be like a high performance racing car fuelled with farm diesel.

ViaLactia's forage programme, funded by FRST and Dairy InSight, focuses on the major pasture plants ryegrass and clover.

Through our rumen genomics research programme we are identifying enzymes and micro-organisms crucial to performance improvements in New Zealand dairying. Enzymes of interest to other industries are emerging from this programme and will be marketed appropriately.